Teachers' Section

Are you prepared?

Being prepared in case of emergency - this the main message from both the Earthquake Commission (for property) and Civil Defence (for people) to help mitigate the effects of a disaster.

It’s worth spending time in the classroom looking at how students and their families can prepare for an emergency. Included here is information about preparations they can make and what to do during and after a disaster.

1. Being prepared

If you have to get out, you should do so as soon as possible. You and your family probably won’t have time to go around the house trying to find all the things you might need. You might have to get out in the middle of the night and the power is off - can you find your way around in the dark?So it’s a great idea to have things already organised - just in case…

You and your family need to have a B-Ready Kit that includes:

enough food and water for everyone in your house for three days. This food has to last so tinned or dried food is best - and don’t forget a tin opener!

something portable to cook on like a small BBQ

important medicines - like your inhaler if you’re an asthmatic

a first aid kit

a radio and batteries

waterproof torches and batteries

spare warm, waterproof clothing and shoes

something to sleep in like sleeping bags or blankets

toilet paper and plastic rubbish bags (for your emergency toilet!)

hearing aids, glasses, or other essential personal items that family members use.

If you have pets you need:

to put a collar with a disc on them - the disc should record your name, phone number and, if it fits, your address

tinned pet food

to have a carry box and pet blanket handy. Put your name and address on the box.

Many of these things can be put away in the B-Ready Kit - but make sure that things like the bottled water, food, and batteries are still useable. Replace the food and water every twelve months and the batteries every three months.

Sometimes, however, items like clothing, medicines, torches, and so on, cannot be kept separate and unused in case of emergency. This is not a problem - just make sure that when items are used they are replaced and put away in the same place so that family members know where to get them in a hurry.

REMEMBER that a disaster can happen at any time - during the day or night. Families need to organise an Emergency Plan for their homes as well as having one at their workplaces.

Your Emergency Plan should include:

Where to shelter safely within your home if there’s an earthquake, storm, or flood - you’ll have to practise how to get there. This might sound strange but pretend it’s the middle of the night, the lights aren’t working, and something scary has just happened.

The name of the person in charge of getting the B-Ready Kit.

The name of the person in charge of looking after the pet/s and the plan for what to do with them.

Where the local Civil Defence evacuation place is - usually it’s a school. Practise the route you’ll take.